It all began
in a small and informal way. Dr. V.K.Bawa, erstwhile chairman of
the state committee for making Hyderabad a world heritage city,
started a meeting every Sunday at the Mecca Masjid of interested
persons. Interested persons from different walks of life,
serving and retired, gathered, exchanged information and gave
suggestions and volunteered to work for heritage conservation at
the twin cities. Soon, a heritage cell was formed in the Forum
For A Better Hyderabad, under the convenorship of Dr. V.K.Bawa.

At this time, the Tourism department
of the state government started a Heritage walk every Sunday for
an hour, to visit the heritage buildings and heritage precincts
in the twin cities. There were several such tours. The tour
programme was designed by Ms Nalini Thakur. We participated in
these walks. As we took the heritage walks, we marveled at the
grandeur, the serenity and the beauty of the heritage buildings.
We, however, found there were many more buildings, which were on
the list of heritage buildings. We saw that the expanding needs
of the city's growth, road- widening, pollution , the
unauthorized occupation of parts and premises of the buildings,
the natural decay and the temptation of the private owners to
pull down some of these buildings, were threatening
conservation of heritage sites. There was very little awareness
of and next to nil respect for, the regulations laid down by the
state government for the conservation of heritage buildings and
precincts. In many cases, repair was done by cement and bricks,
which did not fit in with nor sustain the old structure.

In the
precinct areas, particularly, Charminar precinct, new
constructions came up totally out of tune with the surroundings
and violating the sky lines. The whole ambience of the place was
lost.

Although
Hyderabad was 400 years old with a rich history, the listed
heritage buildings numbered only 137. Experts say the number
should run in thousands. There has been no addition to the list
for about a decade.

The tasks
before the heritage cell of the Forum were clear-cut. To
conserve the existing heritage buildings and precincts. For that
purpose, to obtain the co-operation of concerned government
departments, in particular, the Tourism department, the
Municipal corporation of Hyderabad, to preserve these sites
notwithstanding the needs for expansion, road-widening, etc;
therefore, to dovetail a development plan which will increase
the facilities for the residents of the old city and the
tourists without destroying heritages or a heritage centered
plan for development and tourism. The government too often
proclaimed such intent but in practice, they violated this
concept.

The second
task for heritage conservation was to monitor these sites
against dilapidation or destruction. For this, to create
awareness among the Municipal corporation and the HUDA for
maintenance; among the general public; among the private owners
and to motivate them by suggesting to the authorities suitable
incentives for them.

The third
task is to add to the list of the heritage buildings and
precincts. With these
perspectives , the Heritage Cell of the Forum undertook all its
activities.

In the year
2000, the Cell opposed certain parts of the Charminar
pedestrian project prepared by an Ahmedabad-based consultant,
Vastu Shilpa Consultants, which was accepted by the Tourism
department, without obtaining the approval of Huda, acting on
the recommendations of Heritage Conservation Committee, which
was violative of the state government's own regulations
(Regulation 13 of Huda Zoning Regulations 1981). The report
proposed road widening which would at points run through,
literally slicing, protected monuments like Daru Shifa, the 400
year old Hospital and Medical School, which dates back to the
Qutub shahi period. And the Chow Moholla Palace gates would have
to be demolished to make way for the road. The report
recommended designs for street-lighting, modern furniture,
arches, kiosks which would be totally out of alignment with the
ambience of Laad Bazaar. It recommended office towers,
restaurants, etc, shifting of government offices to the precinct
which will further increase the concentration of traffic at one
spot, defeating the concept of spreading out of the same . The
proposed landscaping with trees, & reflecting pools at the
Charminar monumen will change the character of Charminar
surroundings. The proposal of Vastu Shilpa Consultants was
shelved.

In the same
year, the State Tourism Department and the Municipal Corporation
of Hyderabad undertook a road widening programme in the
Charminar precincts, without obtaining the approval of HUDA,
which was to act on the advice of the Heritage Conservation
Committee appointed by the state government in terms of
Regulation 13 of Huda Zoning Regulations 1981. On our filing a
petition to the High Court, the Municipal Corporation of
Hyderabad obtained the approval of HUDA, acting on the advice
of Heritage Conservation Committee, but assured that road
widening will not affect any heritage building or the ambience
of the Charminar precinct. The HUDA, acting on the advice of
Heritage Conservation Committee, stipulated certain conditions
for permitting the road widening which the Municipal Corporation
of Hyderabad undertook to comply with. The High Court,
thereafter, giving permission to undertake road widening as per
stipulations laid down by HUDA, ruled that it was the duty of
the state government to preserve heritage buildings and
precincts, and that it was obligatory under all circumstances to
obtain the approval of HUDA, which was to act on the advice of
Heritage Conservation Committee, notwithstanding the fact that
the road widening project was a part of the HUDA master plan
which was approved before the promulgation of Regulation 13 of
Huda Zoning Regulations 1981. The judgment firmly placed the
HUDA and the Heritage Conservation Committee in their rightful
places.

In 2001, the
Heritage Cell of the Forum came to know that a section of the
Golconda Fort Wall has been broken under a contract given by
the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad for constructing a
nullah, without the authority of the Archaeological Survey of
India and the HUDA. The Cell moved the High Court for
restoration of the wall under supervision of the ASI. The
petitioners also moved for the restoration of Mons Raymond
Oblisk ( a protected monument under State Archaeological
Department), and the Malwala Palace , a Heritage Building
under the protection of HUDA and MCH. On submission of
undertaking by the Municipal Corporation of India that these
buildings/wall will be restored under proper supervision under
the conservation laws within a given time frame, the Court
disposed of the petition while stating that the petitioners
could bring to its notice any non-compliance.

In 2003-4,
Adil Alan Mansion a listed heritage building was de-listed by a
G.O. by the Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and
Urban Development of A.P on behalf of the state government,
despite the repeated recommendations of the Heritage
Conservation Committee to preserve the building and direction to
the owners to submit a suitable restoration plan. On the Forum's
petition to the High Court under a PIL, the Court asked the
respondents to make their submissions and suspended the
operation of the Government Order till further orders.

Through the
intervention of the Cell, the Nampally Serai, although not a
declared heritage building, has been protected from an earlier
planned demolition. The Council of the Municipal Corporation
of Hyderabad has decided to protect only its fašade while
allowing construction in other areas of it. We have requested
the Commissioner to preserve the Serai in full.

The Heritage
Cell has protested against the location of a proposed 5 star
hotel in the compound of the Greenlands Guest House, a listed
heritage building. Even though the Secretary, Tourism has
assured that the building will not be touched despite locating a
hotel in its compound ., the Cell felt, its beauty would be
diminished thereby, many trees will have to be felled, rocks
broken, pollution will increase and the traffic congestion
already existing in the area will be severely worsened.

The Cell has
also written to HUDA against the demolition of structures in the
Jhamsingh temple area, part of which constitutes a listed
heritage structure. The Cell could not protect the Devdi
Ramachand and Ahotichand building, a heritage building. By the
time it was brought to the notice of the Cell, the building was
already pulled down. The matter was, however, brought to the
notice of the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad and the HUDA.

The Cell
appreciates the crucial importance of creating public opinion
and networking with other organizations for preservation of
heritage. From time to time, press meets were organized. From
the last year, two of our members have joined the Core Committee
of Intach, Hyderabad chapter; we had already one member on the
Core Committee; We have now very good working relations with
Intach, Hyderabad chapter, and together with them we have taken
up the cases for protection of many heritage buildings under
threat as also other steps for heritage protection.

Dialogue was
started jointly by Intach, Hyderabad chapter and the Heritage
Cell of the Forum with the JNTU College of Architecture,
Hyderabad in August 2003. Among important suggestions emerging
for joint work were: architectural institutions in A.P. under
various universities will give their students projects on
heritage conservation; while the preparation of a list of
buildings, monuments, precincts which were not notified as
heritages will be taken up by the Cell and Intach, Hyderabad, the institutes will help in preparing pictures, videos, CAD
drawings, mappings and other necessary information on buildings
and sites proposed as heritage so that the Heritage Conservation
Committee can use them; Intach, Hyderabad and Heritage Cell can
enter into an MOU with College of Architecture, JNTU; Indian
Institute of Architecture , Hyderabad Chapter be also involved;
while it was noted that a curriculum for Graduation in
Architecture already contained lessons on heritage conservation,
Intach, headquarters could write to Council of Architecture, New
Delhi to include in the syllabus at Bachelors, Masters, Phd
levels, topics on conservation of heritage buildings and
precincts.; Pranava school, Banjara Hills, Oxford Grammar
School, Himayatnagar are including or propose to include
subjects of heritage conservation right from the middle school
level.

A proposal
for teachers' training programmes in heritage conservation has
been mooted, to cover the twin cities first, then gradually to
extend to other places in AP. A package of heritage campaign
materials, like posters, stickers, etc., will be prepared. The
course material already available with national Intach will be
utilised. Themes will be rendered into songs, dramas, and
dances. Heritage clubs will be formed in schools, and intra- and
inter -school competitions will be held. The first workshop was
held for a day for school children and teachers of the twin
cities on 25th February 04 at Purani Haveli on "
Heritage Awareness and Setting of Heritage Clubs". It was
intended to create an interest in students and teachers in
heritage conservation, knowledge of the heritage sites in the
twin cities, and spread a message of heritage conservation
through them to a wider circle. The participants were taken
round to parts of Purani Haveli and they did some exercises on
heritage issues. There was also an inter-active session with
Barry Richards Joyce, Head of World Heritage city, Derbyshire,
U.K. Participation certificates were given to students and
teachers.

The Heritage
Cell has undertaken a systematic dialogue with the Municipal
Corporation of Hyderabad. At the request of the corporation's
commissioner, some heritage buildings have been identified like
Moazam Jahi market and a few others are being identified for
renovation. A detailed meeting was held with the Commissioner
followed by another with several officials of the Corporation
led by its Additional Commissioner. While agreeing to support
their programme for taking up a few heritage buildings and sites
for restoration work, the Cell stressed the need to take
immediately some concerted measures to save the already listed
Heritage Buildings and Heritage Precincts (HBs and HPs) from
destruction and devising a mechanism therefor. It requested the
Corporation to take up on a priority basis, the restoration of
the Malwala Palace; the Chowmahalla Palace and several others,
to be communicated to them separately.

Bearing in
mind that most of the private owners of the HBs are old families
who do not have sufficient means of income to maintain the
buildings and at the same are lured to sell the properties to
builders when land price is soaring, the Cell suggested that
the state government needs to formulate an attractive incentives
scheme for the owners of heritage buildings to motivate them to
maintain these buildings. The Cell forwarded these suggestions
also to the Vice chairperson, HUDA, the Principal Secretary
Urban Development, and the Principal Secretary, Tourism , A.P.
Hyderabad

Heritage
Cell has opened a web site at
http://www.hyderabadgreens.org/hcell.html where information
on heritages has been or are being posted. Information so far
posted cover the aims and objectives of the Heritage Cell,
heritage conservation laws, world heritage rules and guidelines,
court cases on heritage fought by the Cell. A deatiled list,area-wise,
of the heritage buildings and precincts with their description
and photographs will be shortly inserted in the web site. The
purpose is to generate interest and update knowledge of heritage
sites in A.P. All are requested to access to the website and
also inform others of this site.

We have many
ideas. We have started implementing some but have a long way to
go. We have, however, a fairly clear vision of what we need to
do. A heritage E-group has been formed. We want more people to
join and more volunteers for work In this connexion, Dr.
G.S.Chandy, a management consultant, had conducted a detailed
workshop, for two days, on the tasks for conserving heritage.
The findings of the workshop will be shortly posted on the web
site. We can use these findings also for formulating our
programme of action. Please join us in our movement for saving
heriatge in Hyderabad , Secunderabad and the rest of Andhra
Pradesh.

Dear Sir,Sub: Demolition of dilapidated begins in city vide, The Hindu report in issue dated 26.6.07

We refer to the captioned report in The Hindu of 26.6.07 (copy enclosed), wherein the report states that GHMC has undertaken demolition of nine dilapidated buildings, that they have targeted 120 buildings for immediate action on account of their perilous state, and that they have identified 400 vulnerable buildings in the erstwhile MCH area. The report further states that GHMC plans to remove 15 buildings every week and that demolitions were carried out in Hussainialam, Abids, Gaddiannaram, Lower Tank Bund, Kurma Basti, Lalapet, etc.

Please let us know which are the areas covered under “etc”. Also, please furnish us with a list of the 9, 120 and 400 buildings referred to in the previous paragraph. It should be ensured that the buildings being / proposed to be pulled down should be examined as to their heritage value, before being demolished. As Hussainialam is within the Charminar precinct, please ensure that no building is demolished which, although not notified as a Heritage Buildings, may have heritage value by itself, or may affect the heritage value of the precinct. For this purpose, the Heritage Conservation Committee should be consulted as per the heritage regulations and as directed by the A.P. High Court in a number of cases.

The buildings which have heritage value and/or whether the demolition of such a building is likely to diminish or destroy the value and beauty of the Precinct inside which it may be located. A list of old “unsafe” buildings may be made within a time-bound programme, and a quick inspection by the Heritage Conservation Committee, or a team of persons approved by them, may be arranged to inspect such buildings and take an on-the-spot view whether it can be demolished without detriment to the value and beauty of the relative Precinct, or because it is devoid of any heritage value. If, on the contrary, this body finds the need for conserving the building, and if the building is considered unsafe for occupation, it should be immediately evacuated, with a proper signboard regarding its un-safety, and steps should be taken so that the neighbours or passers-by are also not put to any risk. We are confident that it is practicable to take such a measure.
Please let us have your advices at an early date.

To,
Shri. Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy, Honourable
Chief Minister, Government Of
Andhra Pradesh, Secretariat,
Hyderabad."Vaastu"of
G-Block " of Secretariat Changed by CM for A.P to Showcase our
Heritage for foreign Investments
Respected Sir,We are keen
that the Main Hall of the 'G'-Block be preserved for posterity
as a monument of the erstwhile Nizams, since it was built by
Mahboob Ali Pasha in 1888 and has rich & varied historical and
cultural value.
The Nizams and the Kohinoor made us world famous. The Urdu
Language has Calliography spread far and wide. We would like
II the Hall of Fame" of the main building to be retained & be
converted into a microcosm of the outer macrocosm of our state
& country.We request
you sir, to restore the main building of our secretariat as
Karnataka has modified its High Court Building.The statue of
Mahboob Ali Pasha on Tank Bund could be shifted to the front
varanda to look like Lincoln Memorial or the Roman Delphi
Temples in Greece. All churches, mosques and temples in
INDONESIA, COLOMBIA & the Continent have been restored with
pillars around and domes arches, this should not be a problem.Tile
dignitaries coming for a day to visit our government / Secretariat
should be able to get a bird's eye view of our future plans
from our pastThe 'G'-Block
may be there remodeled and restored to give the appearance of
Falaknuma Palace or the Shahi buildings of yester years.Vision for
the next 40 years should be our goal. If
each of the ministries and their departments like Tourism,
Power, Tribal India and our Industries could attract foreign
investment our aims and goals would be fulfilled. The foreign
dignitaries coming with all foreign investments into our
country should make Andhra Pradesh their first destination.
Hence we would like to showcase our heritage. The
dignitaries loved our forts, sound and light shows and the way
we project our culture.We request
you sir, to kindly give a deep thought to what this building
would look restored with a magnificent facade like Falaknuma
Palace.The Details
can be worked outThe basement
being made of terrakota with kuja railings for the open
varandas with checkered marble flooring for waiting visitors
all around, a beautiful building rising to the skies to
resemble the monuments of yore to give the impression of the
restored Tajmahal Even our Legislative Assembly & Council when
they are lit up on festivals, National Holidays and A.P
Formation day look gorgeous.The grandeour
of the twin cities, Hyderabad - Secunderabad
& Cyberabad will
attract many a foreign investment if projected in this
Palatial Building..Sir, Kindly
consider this with deep thought & consultations with old
Nawabs and members of Nizam and Salarjung Family for their
inputs. Old stall warts like Mr. Narender Luther, Mf. V.K.Bawa,
President Centre for Deccan Studies Hyderabad and Mrs. Bilkiz
Alladdin would be the right consultants to guide you in this
matter.
Long live Andhra Pradesh and Long live our great Culture.
Thanking you,a) Sri. Veda Kumar b) Dr.V.K. Bawa
c) Sri.Capt. J.Rama Rao d) Dr. Sudha Kishoree) Sri. M.B. Rao f) Sri. Narender Luther
g) Mrs. Bilkiz
Alladdin h) Dr.S.J.Reddyi) Sri. C.S. Rao
j) Dr. C. Ramchandariah k) Col. AK Dewan
l)
Mrs. Farida Hussain
FROM: FORUM FOR A BETTER HYDERABAD-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We seek your
urgent intervention to stop the order, alleged to have been
already passed, for demolition of the oldest building in the
Secretariat, G Block, built in the year 1888. We refer in this
connexion to the report in the Times of India of 29th
November. Even though
the building was not listed in the list of heritage buildings,
it has significant historical associations. It was built for
Nizam Mahboob Ali who, however, did not occupy it.
Subsequently, it served as the office of former chief
ministers, Sarvashri M.Chenna Reddy, N.T.Rama Rao, Kotla
Vijayabhaskara Reddy, and N. Janardhan Reddy. There are many
buildings in the twin cities, which would qualify for being
declared as heritage buildings, but have not been so
identified because the exercise to identify new heritage
buildings has not been undertaken for decades. According to
experts, Hyderabad has a very few number of heritage
buildings, compared to other more recent cities and in the
context of its chequered history and rich architectural
treasure. Accordingly, the building should not be allowed to
be demolished simply because it has not been declared a
heritage building, ignoring its historical associations, and
without examining its architectural value.Several
heritage conservation groups, including Intach, Hyderabad
chapter, have already represented to conserve the building and
possibly to convert it into a museum.Reportedly,
the building has been certified as unfit for use. In its
present condition, it may be unfit for use, but it needs to be
examined whether it can be restored. We,
therefore, fervently appeal to you that, in consonance with
your policy of support for heritage conservation, and to
promote heritage tourism at Hyderabad, any order that may have
been passed to demolish the aforesaid building be revoked.
Simultaneously, experts in heritage conservation from Intach,
the Heritage Conservation Committee of the government, etc.,
may be asked to document the architectural values of the
building and to arrange for its restoration. Conservation and
restoration of this old building with many associations will
improve the international image of the state government for
developing the city as a tourist destination. Any action to
the contrary will have an opposite consequence.Thanking you
in anticipation.Yours
sincerely,(VEDA KUMAR.M)
Convener, HERITAGE CELL

The historically important "G" Block Building in A.P.
Secretariat was constructed by the 6th Nizam Mr. Mahaboob Ali
Pasha in 1888. It was named the Saifabad Palace after the
locality - Saifabad - in which it was situated. In 1941, the
department of Finance and Public Works was transferred to the
Saifabad palace. Periodic additions were made to the Saifabad
palace according to need. The building stood as the centre of
administration of the Government of Hyderabad. The palace
portion housed the powerful General Administration department (
Shortly, GAD) which included the office of the Chief Minister
and the chief secretary, besides one or two other departments.,
the library, a post office and archives of the Secretariat. A
frequent jibe was that GAD of ten behaves like GOD!

Many Prime ministers such as Maharaj Krishna Pershad for two
times, Sir Ali Imam, Sur Akbar Hyder, Nawab of Chattari's for
two times and Sri Mirza Ismail all of them operated their Prime
Ministerial office from this building. The last prime minister
of Hyderabad state under Nizam's rule was Mr.Laik Ali.

This building was centre of administration even after police
action in 1948. Mr. Bakle, I.C.S., from Maharashtra as a Chief
Administrator under military Government operated from this
building, followed by Mr. M.K. Velodi, I.C.S.

The designated Chief Minister Burgula Ramkrishna Rao operated
from this building from 1952. Subsequently, this building has
been used by Chief Ministers, Home Ministers and by General
Administration Department. Since 1946, after formation of Andhra
Pradesh, this building continued to be a centre of
administration for Chief Ministers like, Mr. Neelam Sanjeeva
Reddy, Mr. Sanjeevaiah, Mr. Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, Mr. Jalagam
Vengal Rao, Dr.M.Chenna Reddy, Mr. T. Anjaiah, Mr. Bhavanam
Venkataram Reddy, Mr. K. Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy, Mr. N.T. Rama
Rao, and Mr. Nedurumilli Janardhan Reddy.

Former Chief Secretary, Mr. Narendra Luther, wrote in Deccan
Chronicle on 5.5.96:
That ( meaning its demolition) will remove another historic
landmark from the city. The State Secretariat building, nothing
to inspire pride, will lose its historic core." He continues: "
It is worth reflecting that after the integration of Hyderabad
with the Indian Union, we have not constructed a single building
of which we could be proud. On the otherhand, there is no count
of buildings which we have, or allowed to be, demolished - like
the Diwan Deodhi, the Bashirbagh Palace, the Mahboob mansion,
the Khilwat and now Asman Garb Palace and the Saifabad Palace.
Nobody has ignored our cultural heritage as we have done in this
city! There is an urgent need for giving this a thought."

Architectural value:

'G' Block is a very old building built in 1888. It is indicated
on 1914-1915 Hyderabad Municipal Survey Map as "Finance Office".
(This map was the first set of maps of Hyderabad City drawn in a
fully scientific cartographic method, available in printed
sheets. The scale is 400 feet to an inch. This covers the entire
city of Hyderabad of that period in 18 sheets. The 1915 map has
an added value because it shows the layout of the city as well
as the buildings and areas before the development works were
taken up by the City improvement Board. In order to evaluate and
document the schemes undertaken by the City Improvement Board,
the scheme of the City Improvement Board have been marked on the
1915 A.D. base maps.)

The 'G'Block is
the only surviving building at present out of the several old
buildings in the Secretariat of Nizam's days.It is two storeyed
large buildings with an annexe on the south.

It is built in
classical European style with grand semi-circular arches,
imposing arched-portico on the North, composite as well as
Corinthian columns and pilasters on the fašade, deep cornices
and parapets - all represent a typical building style
prevalent in late nineteenth century Hyderabad.

It has deep
verandahs, high ceilings, thick exterior made of stone,
granite, and lime. Facilitates cool interiors, thereby
minimizing the need for air-conditioning by consuming precious
energy. Therefore, an energy-efficient building - must be
preserved even as per energy conservation principles.

The main load
bearing structure of the building does not show any signs of
structural damage.

The building's
exterior puts up a show of poor upkeep, apparently a result of
deliberate neglect caused by intent and talks about its
imminent demolition.

The following report in the Hindu of 03.12.2004, Page 3, is
also significant:

"Interestingly, the Government will have to pay nothing for
the demolition since it has received Rs. 60 lakhs from the
firm under an agreement to allow the later to cart away the
useful material such as furniture, doorways and wooden beams,
said to have been procured by the Nizam from Burma.

Classic Piece

The most valuable part of the structure is the vintage lift, a
classic piece of its kind. Successive Chief Ministers,
especially, NTR, took a fancy for it. On no single occasion
did the brass-crafted lift rail, recall the Secretariat staff.

Another master piece, which the contractors will be proud to
possess, is the massive teak staircase connecting the two
floors. It is in such a good shape that it can be straightway
used for another building of the same size. Similarly the widen
beams supporting the roof are large enough to meet the timber
needs of a huge building."

A case for the conservation of the
building

The following are the criteria for identification of Heritage
Buildings
(Source - HUDA, Conservation of Historical Buildings and Areas
in Hyderabad City, with Appendices)

These buildings are our links with the past, at the same time
many of them can be used profitably for years to come. In
deciding whether a building should be listed, the Urban
Development Authority may adopt the following criteria:(a) the age of the building;
(b) its special value for architectural or cultural reasons;
(c) its relevance to social and economic history;
(d) its association with well-known character or events;
(e) its value as part of a group of buildings;
(f) its representation of certain distinct architectural styles
of historical periods;
(g) to the uniqueness of the building of any object or
structures fixed to the building or forming part of the land and
comprised within the curtilage of the building; and
(h) any other factor relevant to the objectives of Urban
Conservation.

In a meeting of 04.12.1981, the criteria were amended as follows:1) Age
2) Architectural and historical value
3) Cultural, social and economic value
4) Association with a well-known character(s) or event(s)
5) Uniqueness of any object or structure fixed to the
building.

Equal weightage was to be given to all criteria. But in
certain cases some of the buildings had special importance on
one or two counts and the particular criterion was the ruling
factor over all the others.

It is clear that the G Block satisfies the criteria (a) to (h)
and (1) to (5), stated above.

The mere non-inclusion of the "G" block in the current list of
heritage buildings is no ground for its demolition when it has
definitely heritage values and historical importance, as
established in the previous paragraphs. In this connexion, the
following further points may be noted.

Identification of heritage buildings and heritage precincts
is not a one time exercise. There have been periodically
additions to and deletions from, the list. We have shown
earlier that prima facie the building satisfies the criteria
for listing as a heritage building. Further, many
conservationists and experts and concerned citizens, including
many senior ex- bureaucrats, the Forum For A Better Hyderabad,
members of Intach, Hyderabad chapter, etc., have repeatedly
represented to the state government for the conservation of
the building for its heritage value. There are many buildings
in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, which have immense heritage
value but not yet been listed as heritage buildings. A few
examples are : the Old jail near Monda market: Methodist
Church school, SJ Road; St Georges Grammar School building,
Hyderabad built in 1836; the AP Legislative Assembly; Mehboob
College complex, Patny, Secunderabad, Presbitery of the St
Mary's Cathedral at SD Road, Secunderabad (St Annes School),
and many other cathedrals.. There is immense scope for
identification of further heritage buildings in the twin
cities. According to many experts, Hyderabad has far less
number of listed heritage buildings, in the context of its
history, than many more recent cities have. Therefore, no
decision should be taken to demolish a building which has
immense heritage value.

Any building may turn to be unfit for use in its current
state if neglected over a protracted period of time. In spite
of non-maintenance, the G Block is structurally sound. The
alleged opinion of the government's own departmental engineers
about the un-safety of the building cannot be the final word
on the subject. The state of the building needs to be examined
by an independent body of experts, who are also experts in
restoration work. A recent example is the case of the Nampally
Sarai. The Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad, on a report by
its engineers to the effect that the building was unsafe for
use, ordered its demolition. But on representations by
activists, they were considerate enough to re-examine the
building and found it to be fit for use after some repairs.
This building is not officially listed as a heritage building.

We, therefore, submit that there is ample case for preserving
the building and that the order for its demolition be revoked.